It’s been over two months since we called it quits and entered back into the “REAL WORLD.”  Although I am even guilty of using that terminology I don’t even know what it means.  It seems to me that much of the trail was far more real and authentic than what I tend to busy myself with out here in the “real world.”  

On the trail we were very aware of our needs and genuinely concerned with our basic survival.  Each day was structured around finding water, food and shade.  Rather than being preoccupied with silliness, we were distracted by the pain creeping into our feet or the sun beating down on us.  Instead of overextending ourselves with packed schedules and far too many commitments we savored the opportunity to get into our sleeping bags early or break camp late.  We counted minutes until zero days and planned to absolutely do nothing.  

Life on the trail was so good and at the same time life on the trail was beyond hard. Above all though Life on the trail was REAL.  After the trail it didn’t take long for the “real” world to creep back up on us… and with it we have resolved to hold onto some of the trail life.  We aspire to enter into any world/life situation carrying with us the authenticity, wonder and simplicity of a life lived well.  

Much love, 

M&B
What’s Next: 

Mattea has made her way back to North Carolina where she has begun the next chapter as a staff member at the school responsible for making us friends.  She is working in admissions at Campbell University Divinity School helping potential students to hear and discern their call. 

I (Brenda) am preparing for the next adventure as a member of the Peace Corps. I will be serving 27 months in the country of Lesotho, a landlocked country surrounded by South Africa.  I will be working primarily as an education volunteer teaching English in the primary schools.  I will continue to share my journey here on the blog as I am able. 
We still have aspirations to share some tales from the trail so check back later.  The “real world” has kept us a bit busier than we had hoped but we still want to share with each of you.